Division rankings: Travers is on deck as racing hits home stretch

As the Grade 1 Travers Stakes draws closer, just over a week away, the racing season is nearing its final stretch.

The Travers, often dubbed the midsummer derby, is actually run toward the end of summer. Typically, the conclusion of the Travers signifies a shift in the racing season as we move into fall events, culminating with the Breeders’ Cup.

This season, much like the last, has seen a lack of clear leadership in several divisions. In fact, nearly every division, except for the 3-year-old filly division, remains wide open in terms of the Eclipse Awards.

Last weekend, Anisette added excitement to an already competitive turf female division, and next week, the 3-year-old male division could swing in any direction. A victory by Dornoch could essentially secure the Eclipse Award for the Belmont Staes and Haskell (G1) winner. But a win by a contender such as Sierra Leone would only further complicate the race for the Eclipse.

Before I briefly touch on some of the glamour divisions and discuss which horses remain in the Eclipse conversation as we approach the end of August, let's first review this week’s division rankings.

Older dirt males

1. National Treasure. He performed poorly last time out in a muddy Whitney (G1), finishing far back and off the board. It's clear he struggles on an off track as he is now 0-for-3 in such conditions. He remains at the top here because, frankly, what other horse is more deserving? He’s still the only one in this division with two Grade 1 wins this season. He will return to his home base in California to prepare for the California Crown (G1) in September at Santa Anita. This race formerly was known as the Awesome Again and, before that, the Goodwood.

2. Señor Buscador. His record this year has been impressive. He kicked off the season with a close second-place finish to National Treasure in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in January. He followed that with a victory in the Saudi Cup (G1) in February and a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March. Now the focus is on preparing for the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar in late August, with the California Crown in September also in play.

3. Kingsbarns. Very impressive in the Stephen Foster (G1) as he scored his first Grade 1 win. With two graded-stakes wins on the season, this son of Uncle Mo most certainly could have contended for the Eclipse in this division. Retired this week because of injury, he will drop from this spot in the coming weeks.

4. Next. Won impressively again in the listed Birdstone last time out by 22 lengths. But let's pump the brakes here. He beat only three other horses, one of whom didn't even finish the race. Those three had a combined record of 3-for-27 in any stakes races throughout their careers. His win streak now stands at six, and he deserves a shot in a Grade 1, 1 1/4-mile race such as the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 1.

5. Arthur's Ride. His first stakes win was a big one, the Whitney (G1), where he defeated National Treasure. He climbs to No. 5 here, but that's as high as he'll go in these rankings. A wire-to-wire win on a muddy track over a field that, apart from National Treasure, was 1-for-28 in Grade 1 attempts was nice, but he needs to prove he can replicate that performance. It's encouraging to see his connections plan to enter him in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where we will get a better gauge on him.

Next 5: Pyrenees, Crupi, Tapit Trice, Bright Future, Skippylongstocking

Older dirt females

1. Idiomatic. She returned to the winner's circle in her last race, the Molly Pitcher (G3), with a narrow victory after setting a very slow pace. Despite the win, her supporters have concerns. She was allowed a nearly 1:14 opening six furlongs but struggled to put away an overmatched field, winning by only a head. Although she still leads the division, there are questions about whether her best days are behind her, as her speed figures have declined. All three of her starts this year have been slower than her last six starts last season. Her schedule for the rest of the season is set. She will race next Friday in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, a race she won last year, and then conclude her season with the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland and the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar, both of which she also won last year.

2. Adare Manor. In winning the Clement L. Hirsch (G1), she showed something new: heart and another gear. She looked to be in trouble on the far turn, lagging behind the leaders, but found another gear in the stretch to win decisively over a very good field. She now is 3-for-4 this season with two Grade 1 wins, the most in this division. She has a case to be ranked No. 1 but stays here for now. Her connections are considering the Pacific Classic (G1) against males for her next race. Let's hope she sticks to her own division. But if she runs there and wins, she certainly would take over leadership of this division and enter the horse of the year conversation.

3. Randomized. She delivered a stellar performance in the Ogden Phipps (G1), upsetting Idiomatic. Last fall, she nearly pulled off an upset against the same rival in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Her season record stands at 1-for-2.

4. Sweet Azteca. She returned to the races sprinting in the Great Lady M (G2) and scored another win. Now 4-for-5 in her career, she likely will stay sprinting for her next start, the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga.

5. Scylla. Ran very well in her first trip to California to be runner-up to Adare Manor last out. She could stay out west for her next start, the Zenyatta (G2) in late September at Santa Anita.

Next 5: Raging Sea, Honor D Lady, Shotgun Hottie, Flying Connection, Desert Dawn

3-year-old males

1. Dornoch. I was wrong about this colt. He has shown qualities on the track that have won me over, especially his gameness. He's really stepped up his game and clearly doesn't like to be passed when he has the lead in the stretch. With two consecutive big wins in the Belmont and Haskell, he now sits atop this division. If he can win the Travers in his next start, he'll be the first since Point Given in 2001 to sweep the Belmont, Haskell and Travers.

2. Fierceness. Continued his good-race-bad-race pattern with a stellar performance in the Jim Dandy (G2), defeating Sierra Leone, among others. The question now is whether he can win two in a row and take over leadership to this division. Probably not, but he will give it a go in the Travers.

3. Sierra Leone. Ran well in the Jim Dandy but came up short and finished second. The good news is he maintained a straight line in the stretch. Heading to the Travers next, he should be ready for a top performance, and I expect him to be the horse to beat in that big race.

4. Mystik Dan. He faltered in the Belmont, but he remains near the top because of his achievements in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He also earns credit in my view for consistently showing up and competing, a quality few of the contenders below him can claim. Would be surprised to see him return to the races this season. Will drop in the coming weeks because of inactivity.

5. Forever Young. With only one start in this country, this horse is ranked here even though he was likely the best in the Kentucky Derby. Now 5-for-6 in his career, he has traveled extensively, with wins in two countries this year. Although it's unlikely we'll see him in the U.S. again soon, the Breeders' Cup remains a possibility. He might drop in the rankings because inactivity in the coming weeks but is expected to return in the Japan Dirt Classic on Oct. 2 at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo.

Next 5: Seize the Grey, Mindframe, Muth, Batten Down, Catching Freedom

3-year-old fillies

1. Thorpedo Anna. She earned another win over her divisional rivals, this time in the CCA Oaks (G1), finishing just over four lengths ahead. With three Grade 1 victories this season, she has likely secured the Eclipse Award for her division. Her connections have ambitiously decided to run her against the colts in the Travers later this month. On paper, she seems overmatched.

2. Candied. Ran a good race when runner-up to the No. 1-ranked Thorpedo Anna in the CCA Oaks. Before that, she won the listed Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth. Will run this weekend in the Alabama (G1) at Saratoga.

3. Tarifa. Up the track in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), but perhaps she disliked the off track. Still, with two graded-stakes wins this season, Tarifa stays in the top five here.

4. Sugar Fish. Came out of nowhere and dominated the Summertime Oaks (G2) to win by over nine lengths. This gal was coming off an optional-claimer win and before that broke her maiden in an optional claimer. Last time out she finished off the board and behind the older Adare Manor in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1)

5. Nothing Like You. Finished a distant second to Sugar Fish last out in the Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. This came after dominating the Santa Anita Oaks (G2), winning by more than seven lengths.

Next 5: Power Squeeze, Leslie's Rose, Kinza, Scalable, Ways and Means

Turf males

1. Johannes. Rockets to the top here after sitting No. 6 for a few weeks. Why? Well, for starters he has run in and won three graded stakes already this season. His last, a powerhouse win in the Eddie Read (G2), came against a good field. He is now 6-for-10 in his career and a major player in this division moving forward as he will not need to leave his home state of California with the Breeders' Cup Mile being run at Del Mar. Will run next in the City of Hope Mile (G2) at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.

2. Master of The Seas. He won the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) impressively in his last outing, adding to his tally of three Grade 1 victories in his last four starts in North America. His connections decided to bench him after his win all the way back in April to wait for a start in the Fourstardave (G1) this weekend, but now he is out because a foot bruise. This is why you strike when the iron is hot and run. He will drop in the coming weeks as he waits to run in the Woodbine Mile (G1) in September.

3. Cogburn. He's undefeated this season with a 2-for-2 record. In his last start, he scored a win in the Jaipur (G1) and set a record time, albeit on an exceptionally fast surface. Not since Stormy Liberal a few years ago has a turf sprinter held such a high ranking. It's worth noting that a turf sprinter can contend for an Eclipse Award in this division, as demonstrated by Stormy Liberal in 2018.

4. Measured Time. Dominated the Manhattan (G1) in his first start in this country. It was the first Grade 1 win for this son of Frankel.

5. Silver Knott. 3-for-3 in 2024, all in Grade 2 events, the last being the Bowling Green at Saratoga.

Next 5: Carl Spackler, Program Trading, Nation's Pride, Naval Power, Du Jour

Turf females

1. Didia. Her last race in the Diana (G1) was somewhat disappointing, finishing fourth to Whitebeam, beaten by just over a length. But before that, she impressed with a strong win over a very good field in the New York Stakes (G1). Her season began with a victory in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2) in January, followed by a third-place finish in the Jenny Wiley (G1) in April.

2. Anisette. Scored an easy win defeating an overmatched field in the Yellow Ribbon (G2) last time out at Del Mar. She's 2-for-2 on the season, with her other win coming in the Gamely (G1) at Santa Anita on Memorial Day. Now she will have one more race prior to the Breeders' Cup, where the Mile or Filly & Mare Turf are options. Since arriving in the country last season, she is 6-for-8, including five graded-stakes victories.

3. Whitebeam. Broke though in a big way last out to win the Diana over the deepest field of female turf horses this season. Before this big win, she was runner-up in her prior starts this season, both graded stakes.

4. War Like Goddess. At age 7, I keep expecting her to slow down, but she just keeps going strong. Most recently, she scored an easy win in the Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) at Delaware Park. Remarkably, she will contend for an Eclipse in this division for the fourth consecutive season.

5. Chili Flag. Disappointed in the Diana, finishing ninth after winning three in a row going in. The Just a Game (G1) winner on Belmont Stakes weekend still deserves to reside here in the top five.

Next 5:  Moira, Beaute Cachee, McKulick, Fev Rover, Neecie Marie

Male sprinters

1. The Chosen Vron. This guy just keeps winning. He has a remarkable record by today's standards with 19 wins from 24 starts. Eighteen of this wins have come in stakes races. Last out he ran the best and fastest race of his career, speed-figure-wise, in the Bing Crosby (G1), winning that event for the second year in a row. He moves into the top spot here and will run for an Eclipse in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar.

2. Nakatomi. Scored a nice win when defeating Skelly in the Vanderbilt (G1) last out at Saratoga for his first victory of 2024. Previously he had run third in both of his starts.

3. Skelly. Runner-up to Nakatomi in the Vanderbilt last out, he has lost two in a row. Has won three races this year but only one graded stakes, the Count Fleet (G3) at Oaklawn.

4. Gun Pilot. Failed as the favorite in the True North (G2) on Belmont Stakes weekend, finishing third. But previously scored his first stakes win in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), defeating a few ranked below.

5. Baby Yoda. Disappointed in the Vanderbilt when off the board, but this 6-year-old veteran scored a six-length win in the True North (G2) before that.

Next 5: Closethegame Sugar, Super Chow, Happy Jack, Hoist the Gold, Twisted Ride

Female sprinters

1. Vahva. Scored an impressive win in the Chicago (G3) at Churchill Downs, running down Society in the stretch last out. Before this latest win she bested Alva Starr in the Derby City Distaff (G1) in early May, posting a facile two-length win after finishing runner-up to that rival in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland in April. Will point to the Ballerina (G1) in August at Saratoga for her next start.

2. Alva Starr. Was 3-for-4 on the season, including a win in the Madison (G1). She was runner up to Vahva in the Derby City Distaff (G1) as well. Although she suffered a catastrophic injury during training and had to be euthanized, she still is among the top three in this division as of now and would be on Eclipse ballots.

3. Sweet Azteca. She is ranked here because two of her big wins this year were sprinting. She returned to the races sprinting in the Great Lady M (G2) and scored another win. Now she likely will stay sprinting for her next start, the Ballerina at Saratoga.

4. Way and Means. Scored an impressive win in the Test (G1) last time out for her first stakes win.

5. Spirit Wind. Defeated Accede and Clearly Unhinged last out in the Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga. Before that big win she won a sprint stakes at Lone Star.

Next 5: Society, Accede, Clearly Unhinged, Red Carpet Ready, Almostgone Rocket

Wide-open divisions point to an exciting final 3 months

The Travers next week should help separate the contenders from the pretenders, and stakes action across several divisions in the coming weeks will further clarify the Eclipse picture.

The older males will be in action during the Pacific Classic and Jockey Club Gold Cup on the last weekend of August. In the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Arthur’s Ride, the recent Whitney winner, will aim to prove his victory on a muddy track was no fluke. His main competition is expected to come from Tapit Trice and possibly the marathon specialist Next. Not the strongest of fields, but in this day and age with early retirements and injuries taking its toll, the older dirt male division is wide open, with at least half a dozen horses in the mix.

In my opinion, the older dirt female division is more defined, with the Eclipse likely coming down to three horses, Idiomatic, Adare Manor and Randomized, whom I rank as my top three.

The 3-year-old divisions are in different places. The male division is still wide open, but the female side is locked down by the three-time Grade 1 winner, Thorpedo Anna.

On the turf, both divisions remain wide open, with no standout horse emerging. Johannes leads my rankings, but many highly regarded horses are lightly raced. It might come down to one race day, Breeders’ Cup day, which is unfortunate in some ways.

On the female turf side, there are solid contenders. Didia remains No. 1, but I favor Anisette to eventually claim the championship. War Like Goddess and Whitebeam also are in the mix, making this one of my favorite divisions of 2024.

Next week, the Travers Stakes will take center stage. I'll delve into the 3-year-old males and highlight the lone filly entered, Thorpedo Anna.